We are back! It's wierd/ridiculous that we took about 7 months off from blogging...so if anyone out there gets this message, I'm sorry. But, please don't despair, I am back in the saddle and promise to update this blog every hour on the hour for the rest of my life!! Okay, not really, but I am going to dedicate more time and energy into this blog as Lisa and I still believe it is a great way to keep people up to date on our adoption process and our life in general.
So, what's up with our adoption you might be asking? Well, it is the fall and we've been praying for a fall baby, so that lifts our spirits. The adoption agency in Tulsa has put a hold on accepting new prospective adoptive families for the time being which means our book will not be buried under a bunch of new books from other families. We have two books in circulation with the agency and both of these facts mean our book should be viewed more and more. So, please be praying:
1) for the right birth mom to see our book
2) for the health of the birth mom and baby who we eventually get matched with
3) patience, faith and encouragement for me and Lisa
4) the financial side of the adoption as we are still trying to raise funds
5) Campbell Jane as a big sister
We did get a call from the adoption agency last week about a possible birth mom who contacted them. The birth mom isn't at the agency yet...but they did ask us about showing her our book. We said yes...so hopefully the birthmom follows through on her plans to work with the agency and our prayers are that if this is the birthmom God wants to pick us, then she will like our book! That's a big prayer, so thank you for joining with us!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
This one is for Benji !
Things have been rather busy in the Ismert world the last 4 weeks. We've selected guides for Wilderness Ranch, we've coordinated a wedding, we've been to Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California and back. We've stepped in the Pacific Ocean and breezed through the Bellagio. I even shoveled a little snow.
But, rather than have you try to put the pieces together of all our comings and goings, let's just talk about the pieces of our adoption that are coming together in so many exciting ways! First of all, we have moved through the pre-placement phase of the adoption process and we've sent off our 'lifebook' to the adoption agency in Tulsa. So, as I type this, a birth-mom could be looking at our book and considering us as the family to adopt her child.
And speaking of pieces, we've had so much fun selling puzzle pieces. That's right, we 'borrowed' the idea to sell pieces to a 500 piece puzzle for $5 each (which should raise $2500). We've had tremendous response and have sold in the neighborhood of 400 pieces already! We might have to get a 600 piece puzzle! The idea is to write on the back of each puzzle piece the name of the person who 'bought it' and then when baby #2 is old enough, we'll put the puzzle together and talk about their adoption and see the names of all the people who supported us. It will be a great way to talk about adoption and to be reminded of how God used so many people to partner with us in this journey.
Speaking of partners in this adoption, we are so thankful for you all! We have been and continue to be overwhelmed by the prayers, encouragement and support of all of you. We are definitely not alone in this effort and that is probably the biggest blessing of them all. We love you all!
p.s. If you want to buy a puzzle piece(s) then just mail a check for how many you want to us at PO Box 1274 Buena Vista, CO 81211.
Thank you! We have raised by the power and mercy of God about $9000 and hope to raise another $4000. Talk to you soon, I really do plan/want/need to update this blog more often, so don't give up on checking it!
But, rather than have you try to put the pieces together of all our comings and goings, let's just talk about the pieces of our adoption that are coming together in so many exciting ways! First of all, we have moved through the pre-placement phase of the adoption process and we've sent off our 'lifebook' to the adoption agency in Tulsa. So, as I type this, a birth-mom could be looking at our book and considering us as the family to adopt her child.
And speaking of pieces, we've had so much fun selling puzzle pieces. That's right, we 'borrowed' the idea to sell pieces to a 500 piece puzzle for $5 each (which should raise $2500). We've had tremendous response and have sold in the neighborhood of 400 pieces already! We might have to get a 600 piece puzzle! The idea is to write on the back of each puzzle piece the name of the person who 'bought it' and then when baby #2 is old enough, we'll put the puzzle together and talk about their adoption and see the names of all the people who supported us. It will be a great way to talk about adoption and to be reminded of how God used so many people to partner with us in this journey.
Speaking of partners in this adoption, we are so thankful for you all! We have been and continue to be overwhelmed by the prayers, encouragement and support of all of you. We are definitely not alone in this effort and that is probably the biggest blessing of them all. We love you all!
p.s. If you want to buy a puzzle piece(s) then just mail a check for how many you want to us at PO Box 1274 Buena Vista, CO 81211.
Thank you! We have raised by the power and mercy of God about $9000 and hope to raise another $4000. Talk to you soon, I really do plan/want/need to update this blog more often, so don't give up on checking it!
Monday, January 17, 2011
January...for rrreal
Well, I almost feel like some re-introductions are in order. Yep, it's been awhile. I remember the last post, it was Christmas morning. We had a wonderful Christmas...full of family and friends and many blessings. Thank you to the all the Ismerts and all the Nichols for the love and festive times!
A few days after Christmas I left for Ecuador! It was a Wilderness Ranch trip with the purpose of exploring a partnership with Summit Adventure regarding a "Missions & Mountaineering" course they've organized for the past 7 or so years. It was a great course that definitely jumpstarted my imagination about the possibilities for YL and Summit to work together in ministry in Ecuador. The highlights of the trip were working at the church/school/community center known as Remanse d'Amor, a Christian ministry in a very poor neighborhood that is really showing incredible fruit. And we were fortunate enough to summit a mountain called Cayambe (18,996 ft).
And now we are back in BV! Wow. Back in the office and so much is going on! Lisa has gone 99 mph on the adoption paperwork and the 1st round of documents, tests, reports etc should be completed any day now. God has been going warp speed on providing us encouragement in many ways, just kind words, special moments with Campbell, and also in terms of finances. Thank you to everyone who has encouraged us and thanks be to God for his power and mercy on us.
We've got so much to be thankful for...I don't want to overwhelm just a single blog post...so I intend to get back on here tomorrow with more. But this a great start!
A few days after Christmas I left for Ecuador! It was a Wilderness Ranch trip with the purpose of exploring a partnership with Summit Adventure regarding a "Missions & Mountaineering" course they've organized for the past 7 or so years. It was a great course that definitely jumpstarted my imagination about the possibilities for YL and Summit to work together in ministry in Ecuador. The highlights of the trip were working at the church/school/community center known as Remanse d'Amor, a Christian ministry in a very poor neighborhood that is really showing incredible fruit. And we were fortunate enough to summit a mountain called Cayambe (18,996 ft).
And now we are back in BV! Wow. Back in the office and so much is going on! Lisa has gone 99 mph on the adoption paperwork and the 1st round of documents, tests, reports etc should be completed any day now. God has been going warp speed on providing us encouragement in many ways, just kind words, special moments with Campbell, and also in terms of finances. Thank you to everyone who has encouraged us and thanks be to God for his power and mercy on us.
We've got so much to be thankful for...I don't want to overwhelm just a single blog post...so I intend to get back on here tomorrow with more. But this a great start!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Noel
MERRY CHRISTMAS!! It's Christmas morning! We love all of you and are so thankful for our family and friends! This is just a humble blog, but it's gonna be my platform to share a reminder regarding the birth of Jesus. Jesus is our Savior. I don't think we consider that enough. Say it to your self a couple times "I have a Savior". Then ask yourself.."Do I know him?" The real gift this day and everyday is the hope of a Savior. Without him, we have no hope. We love you and hope you will take a minute to share this truth with others today and everyday!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
S is for 'SPARKLE'
and for SHOPPING for Christmas!
Please hit the 'Sparkle' logo link on our page (to the right) and check out our friend Clare and her site on "ETSY" for encouragement totes...aka...hope totes. These are hand made by our friend in Buena Vista and they are awesome. It's a great Christmas gift. Since they are hand made, please place your order no later than Dec 12th so she has time to make them. After the 12th you'll be too late for Christmas, but sales after Christmas will still help our adoption. She's partnered with us so 10% of each sale's proceeds that comes via our blog will send $$ to our adoption. She and her family are also matching the funds that come through the sales of her totes.
We are so blessed by the incredble support we've received from near and far! Soooooo.......while your browsing...don't forget to check out the 'CritterMeds' link over there too. That is another friend of ours in the pet supply business. If your getting gifts for your furry family members, look at what they have. Also...coffee makes a warm gift...there's still time to order coffee via 'Just love coffee'. Again, please use the links via our blog. That's the only way we can get the credit. Thanks to everyone making coffee orders...Just Love Coffee has poured in almost $400 so far!
Please keep praying for us as we are pushing through the preplacement adoption process. That means paperwork, conversations and even more prayer. God is faithful!!
Please hit the 'Sparkle' logo link on our page (to the right) and check out our friend Clare and her site on "ETSY" for encouragement totes...aka...hope totes. These are hand made by our friend in Buena Vista and they are awesome. It's a great Christmas gift. Since they are hand made, please place your order no later than Dec 12th so she has time to make them. After the 12th you'll be too late for Christmas, but sales after Christmas will still help our adoption. She's partnered with us so 10% of each sale's proceeds that comes via our blog will send $$ to our adoption. She and her family are also matching the funds that come through the sales of her totes.
We are so blessed by the incredble support we've received from near and far! Soooooo.......while your browsing...don't forget to check out the 'CritterMeds' link over there too. That is another friend of ours in the pet supply business. If your getting gifts for your furry family members, look at what they have. Also...coffee makes a warm gift...there's still time to order coffee via 'Just love coffee'. Again, please use the links via our blog. That's the only way we can get the credit. Thanks to everyone making coffee orders...Just Love Coffee has poured in almost $400 so far!
Please keep praying for us as we are pushing through the preplacement adoption process. That means paperwork, conversations and even more prayer. God is faithful!!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Thanksgiving, weddings and Decembbuurrr!
Good morning to all! I can hardly believe how much has happened the past couple weeks. It seems so short for all that's unfolded for us. Lisa and CJ and I had a great post-Lisa b-day stretch right into Thanksgiving. That included saying good-bye to the Steckman's who sadly are moving back to Virginia, but we've been so blessed by their friendship and time in BV. We will miss them.
Thanksgiving was awesome! We went to warm(er) Denver and enjoyed great food and company with Mike & Crystal Delehoz and their daughter Mia Grace. Mike and Crystal are former Ranch guides and good friends with roots in Ft Worth, but recently moved to Denver. Mike volunteered for dawn patrol the day after Thanksgiving driving me to the airport at 4:30am. I caught a flight to Grand Rapids, MI to officiate the wedding of John Balmat and Christina Jagatic. It was my first wedding to officiate and it was awesome.
Honestly, I can think of no more honoring of a time than to be asked to officiate the wedding of a good friend. John and Christina, if you read this, please know how HONORED I felt to have this role in your wedding and THANK YOU for asking me to serve in that way. John & Christina had a beautiful wedding.
I also got some great time with the Michigan WR crew, which honestly I don't see enough of their happy and fun faces!
Returning to BV was good, always great to hug and kiss Lisa and Campbell Jane. The temps are dropping so winter is grabbing hold of us. No big snow dumps yet, but it's coming. Bought a new snow shovel...just need my shoulder to feel better...thankfully I don't need surgery. Just physical therapy for an enflamed tendon in my rotator cuff.
Lotsa love to you all! Merry Christmas and have the best day in the Lord today!
Thanksgiving was awesome! We went to warm(er) Denver and enjoyed great food and company with Mike & Crystal Delehoz and their daughter Mia Grace. Mike and Crystal are former Ranch guides and good friends with roots in Ft Worth, but recently moved to Denver. Mike volunteered for dawn patrol the day after Thanksgiving driving me to the airport at 4:30am. I caught a flight to Grand Rapids, MI to officiate the wedding of John Balmat and Christina Jagatic. It was my first wedding to officiate and it was awesome.
Honestly, I can think of no more honoring of a time than to be asked to officiate the wedding of a good friend. John and Christina, if you read this, please know how HONORED I felt to have this role in your wedding and THANK YOU for asking me to serve in that way. John & Christina had a beautiful wedding.
I also got some great time with the Michigan WR crew, which honestly I don't see enough of their happy and fun faces!
Returning to BV was good, always great to hug and kiss Lisa and Campbell Jane. The temps are dropping so winter is grabbing hold of us. No big snow dumps yet, but it's coming. Bought a new snow shovel...just need my shoulder to feel better...thankfully I don't need surgery. Just physical therapy for an enflamed tendon in my rotator cuff.
Lotsa love to you all! Merry Christmas and have the best day in the Lord today!
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